Core Competencies
Commodity Managers
Commodity Managers lead commodity management strategies for Country Offices implementing food
aid interventions. They are generally based at country office headquarters. Commodity Manager
provides oversight and management to Commodity Officers and Warehouse Officers or Storekeepers.
1. Commodity Management Concepts, including
1.1 Understand basic concepts and purpose of commodity management
1.2 Understand role of commodity management in food security and food aid programs
1.3 Understand need for operational relationships with other functions within the organization
1.4 Knowledge of donor regulations on commodity management (Reg 11)
1.5 Review and contribute to update/change of commodity management manual or guide
1.6 Understand compliance and its implications
2. Logistics network design
2.1 Knows different components of logistics network planning
2.2 Capable of identifying supply and demand points
2.3 Can identify operational challenges and strategize to address them
2.4 Can select and set up warehouse and transport operations
3. System set up
3.1 Can identify requirements in terms of systems and processes for efficient commodity
management
3.2 Set up appropriate systems and processes to meet requirements, including post distribution
monitoring
3.3 Train staff on systems and processes to enable them to maintain the systems
3.4 Can design and implement monitoring system and troubleshoot to fix system malfunctions
3.5 Have oversight over staff, processes and systems to ensure coordinated management of
commodities
4. Warehouse operations
4.1 Identify and set up warehouses including handling and storage equipments
4.2 Draw up warehouse layout and establish procedures for smooth receipt, storage and
dispatch of commodities
4.3 Hire and train staff to manage warehouse operations
4.4 Introduce commodity accounting and reporting systems
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5. Transport management
5.1 Capable of assessing transport needs for delivery of commodities to the secondary
warehouses and distribution points, including modes of transport
5.2 Identify constraints and determine routing for delivery of commodities while obtaining
optimal use of resources
5.3 Develop and introduce controls to minimize transit losses
5.4 Develop and introduce systems to manage reverse logistics of undistributed food for
efficient commodity accounting
5.5 Monitor and analyze performance of transport providers
6. Inventory Management and Control
6.1 Knowledge of Generally Accepted Commodity Accounting Principles (GACAP)
6.2 Knowledge of USAID requirement on commodity accounting and reporting
6.3 Monitor stock movement, analyze, verify and reconcile stock records
6.4 Review loss handling and documentation
6.5 Introduce appropriate control mechanisms for management of commodity inventory
7. Staff capacity assessment, Coaching & Mentoring
7.1 Capable of setting performance standards for commodity management staff
7.2 Establish performance monitoring and measurement systems
7.3 Determine capacity gaps and design appropriate training programs
7.4 Provide timely feedback, advice, support and motivate staff to improve performance
7.5 Incorporate gender considerations in all aspects of commodity management
8. Port operations
8.1 Understanding of import procedures and regulations governing humanitarian aid relief
commodities
8.2 Knowledge of required documentation for duty free import of food for distribution
8.3 Capable of working effectively and collaboratively with shipping agents, stevedores, port
authorities, surveyors, etc.
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